Abstract
Improving agricultural water use efficiency (AWUE) is an important way to solve the shortage of water resources in arid and semi-arid regions. This study used the Super-DEA (data envelopment analysis) to measure the AWUE of 52 cities in Northwest China from 2000 to 2018. Based on spatial and temporal perspectives, it applied Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) to explore the dynamic evolution and regional differences of AWUE. A spatial econometric model was then used to analyze the main factors that influence the AWUE in Northwest China. The results showed firstly that the overall AWUE in Northwest China from 2000 to 2018 presented a steady upward trend. However, only a few cities achieved effective agricultural water usage by 2018, and the differences among cities were obvious. Secondly, AWUE showed an obvious spatial autocorrelation in Northwest China and showed significant high–high and low–low agglomeration characteristics. Thirdly, economic growth, urbanization development, and effective irrigation have significant, positive effects on AWUE, while per capita water resource has a significant, negative influence. Finally, when improving the AWUE in arid and semi-arid regions, plans should be formulated according to local conditions. The results of this study can provide new ideas on the study of AWUE in arid and semi-arid regions and provide references for the formulation of regional agricultural water resource utilization policies as well.
Highlights
Water is an essential and vital natural resource for the survival of all life on Earth [1].due to factors such as rapid population and economic growth, urbanization, and industrialization [2], the global demand for water is growing at a rate of 1% per year, and the growth in demand for water is coming mostly from developing countries and emerging economies
MaxDEA software was used to calculate the agricultural water use efficiency (AWUE) of cities in Northwest China from 2000 to 2018 based on the total factor method, as shown in Appendix A
Cities in Northwest China from 2000 to 2018 were considered as research objects, and the Super-data envelopment analysis (DEA) model was adopted to measure the AWUE of 52 cities in Northwest China
Summary
Water is an essential and vital natural resource for the survival of all life on Earth [1]. Taking Northwest China as the research area, this paper discusses the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of AWUE and identifies the key factors influencing the improvement in AWUE This will enable the Chinese government to propose a specific and feasible path to improve AWUE in Northwest China but will have important implications for promoting the AWUE in arid and semi-arid regions around the world and for developing countries in terms of formulating policies related to the sustainable development of agricultural water resources. In the process of agricultural production, due to the similarity of natural resource endowment, economic development level, and agricultural water use mode in adjacent areas, the AWUE between different regions may have mutual spatial influence.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
